‘Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
    Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
    and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.

Genuine prophets are not popular. At least, not all the time. They tell it like it is (from God). In our sinfulness, we don’t necessarily want to hear.

As I read chapter 58 this morning, I couldn’t get further than the first verse. It hit me in this way: there are times you just have to give it straight. You won’t help people by being any other way. They need to know their disease before they will be ready to consider any remedy.

Of course we need to be sensitive, and led by the Holy Spirit in all our relationships and speech. I don’t believe in being ‘John Bull’ blunt and rude for the sake of it. But there does come a time when we must not ”hold back”.

It is, nevertheless, possible to be clear while also being gentle and kind.

PRAYER: Lord may we be led by you in all things. Give us the courage to say what needs to be said, and may we know the right time to say it and speak in the right manner. May our speech always be full of grace, seasoned with salt